3) really listening to opinion, read magazines & reviews - then go for
the cream of stuff which is offered daily second hand with lots of life

and undiscovered potential. I mean ebay, enthusiasts marketplaces,
small-ads, loot whatever... £500 may go a long way, and folks here may
guide you into getting something quite nice...

Yes indeed. What's the situation with digital amps? There are some
stonkingly good digital amps nowardays for little mazuma. I know a lot
of people build them as kits - is this an option?